President Trump Appoints Terminally Ill Teen DJ Daniel to Secret Service
President Donald Trump honored 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a terminally ill cancer survivor from Houston, Texas, by appointing him as an honorary United States Secret Service agent.
The surprise announcement came during Trump’s address, recognizing DJ’s years-long battle with brain cancer and his unwavering dream of becoming a police officer—a passion that once made him the target of ridicule from older kids in his community.
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Dressed in a Houston Police Department uniform, DJ sat in the House gallery with his father, Theodis Daniel, as Trump shared his story. “Joining us tonight is a young man who truly loves our police,” Trump said. “Doctors gave him just five months to live. That was more than six years ago. Since then, DJ and his dad have been on a mission to make his dream come true.”
Then, in a moment of national recognition, Trump turned to DJ and announced, “Tonight, DJ, I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.” The chamber erupted in applause, chanting “D-J!” as his father lifted him into the air. Curran presented DJ with an honorary badge, which the teen proudly held up before embracing the director.
WATCH
Trump honored 13-year-old cancer survivor Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel by naming him an honorary Secret Service agent. Despite a dire 2018 diagnosis, DJ has defied the odds, being sworn in by over 900 law enforcement agencies before receiving his Secret Service credentials from… pic.twitter.com/VBPpM45R0S— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 5, 2025
DJ’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience. Diagnosed at age six with a rare form of brain and spine cancer, he has endured 13 surgeries and a prognosis that gave him mere months to live. Yet, against the odds, he has survived for over six years, dedicating himself to law enforcement. He and his father have travelled the country, with DJ being sworn in as an honorary officer by over 871 police departments, including one in Italy.
His love for policing began in 2017, when his family, displaced by Hurricane Harvey, received kindness from Houston officers who brought them food. However, his passion has not been without hardships. A year ago, DJ faced bullying for wearing his police uniform, an experience that now starkly contrasts his recognition on the national stage.
DJ and his family met Trump in the Oval Office the day after the ceremony. In a touching moment, DJ, still in uniform, surprised the president with a heartfelt gift. “There’s one more thing I got for you—a big hug,” he said, wrapping his arms around Trump. The president responded warmly, praising the Daniel family and expressing admiration for DJ’s strength.
